Page 60 - bne magazine July 2022_20220704

60 I Eastern Europe bne July 2022
After being ignored for years, Ukraine has finally achieved its goal of becoming an EU candidate member after a historic vote by the European Council. / wiki
Ukraine and Moldova granted EU candidate status in face of Russian aggression
Dominic Culverwell in Berlin
Ukraine and Moldova have been granted official candidate status to the European Union, with the same promise to Georgia once it has addressed its "outstanding priorities".
The announcement – after the first
day of the European Council's two-day summit in Brussels on June 23 – did not come as a surprise, as none of the EU's 27 member states opposed the decision at a meeting earlier in the week. Even the leaders of Germany and France, who previously received criticism for their perceived lack of support, backed Ukraine’s candidate status during a trip to Kyiv on June 16.
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"This decision strengthens us
all", President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said. "It strengthens Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, in the face of Russian imperialism. And it strengthens the EU. Because it shows once again to the world that we are united and strong in the face of external threats."
“Now is the time to acknowledge that the future of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia lies within the EU,” European Council President Charles Michel wrote in a letter inviting the leaders to the summit.
The decision is a massive boost to Ukraine and Moldova, though
“This decision strengthens us all. It strengthens Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, in the face of Russian imperialism”